As I was in line at the supermarket yesterday purchasing some seafood for dinner, an older gentleman sparked up a conversation with me. We began talking about the various seafoods that Alaska has to offer. I began talking about how store bought fish and crab just isn't the same as when you just catch it and eat it. He then asked me where I'm from and I told him that I was from Kotlik, AK. At that point he told me that he was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska and asked me if he could be frank with me. I told him to go right ahead. He then told me a story of how during his entire life in Anchorage he was probably one of the most racist people in Alaska against natives. He told me he always thought of them as rude, stupid, dirty, gross, and as drunks. Until last year his company sent him to a village on the upper Kuskokwim river. He told me that he was dreading the trip and told his company that he would not go, but was told that he had to go, so he went. During his visit there he had an awakening as to the differences of being in the village and being in Anchorage. He felt that he had gone to a whole new country. He told me that he felt incredible guilt for all of the things that he said during his lifetime. He said that the people there were the kindest and most welcoming people he had ever met. He said that he didn't meet a single person who didn't invite him over for something to eat and that all of the villagers would ask him if he had eaten yet. He also had a new understanding of why some natives dress the way they do once he saw that there really was no place to shop and that water was very scarce. He said that every home that he went into for dinner although modest and often made of just plywood, they were impeccable. He was also amazed at how hard working the children were and at the amount of respect people showed for their elders and for one another. He also had a new understanding of why natives do not waste food when eating out. He was very amazed and wanted to apologize to me as a native it would make any difference.
Just wanted to share.
Showing posts with label tradition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tradition. Show all posts
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Alcohol is NOT our culture
So a comment that a KTVA viewer made on the news story they did about this blog has really been bugging me. He stated that alcohol is our culture when it is in fact not. He also implied that it is our own culture that it is killing us.
During the 1950's suicide among natives did not differ much from very much from the rest of the nation. During the 1950's alcohol was introduced to most native villages. Suicide, sex crimes, homicide and other crimes among native people began to climb. During this time much of our own culture was taken from us. I have heard numerous stories from elders and others of being beaten for speaking their language, of being washed in kerosene, and of being sexually abused by the priests that were brought to teach them what they thought we should know. I am going to be 31 years old and never knew of Ellam-yua until about two weeks ago.
While the introduction to the western ways may have improved life in some ways, like giving us a longer life span, homes that are easier to heat and education, it has also destroyed who we are. Natives were forced to forget their own beliefs and learn what others thought we should know.
Today nearly 80% of deaths among natives is alcohol related, despite many efforts to keep it out of many villages. Kotlik is a dry village. However, with an unemployment rate of 34.6% and the a ca pita income of $9,755, the sale of alcohol is quick and easy money in a village where a quart of uht milk is over $3 and where heating fuel and gasoline prices are over $6 a gallon. The sale of one fifth of alcohol is usually over $150.
I want to make it clear that alcohol is not our culture, it is a problem that we are facing.It is so new to us that we have yet to figure out to overcome alcoholism, but I have faith that we will.
In fact Caucasian people consume more alcohol than any other people in this nation, so to sit and say that our culture is destroying is just plain idiotic. It is the DESTRUCTION of our culture and the FORCED INTRODUCTION of another that has lead to these issues that we face. Our beliefs and way of life was taken from us, another was forced upon us and then we saw a huge increase in social problems.
According to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services survey, 56.7 percent of whites describe themselves as "current drinkers," compared to 42.8 percent of African Americans, 41.7 percent of Hispanics, 37.6 percent of Asians, and 47.6 percent of multiracial people.
"National surveys show differences in alcohol consumption across ethnic groups, including patterns of drinking associated with greater risk for the adverse effects of alcohol (e.g., binge drinking, defined as five or more drinks on the same occasion). According to past-30-day estimates of drinking provided by the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) (SAMHSA 2008c), any alcohol use in adults (i.e., ages 18 or older) is most prevalent for Whites."(NIAAA Publications)
" Self-reported rates of DUI were highest among White men" (Driving under the influence)
So we were forced to learn what others believe in, and yes it has become a problem for us. Alcohol is so new to us that we have yet to find a way to deal with it. I do however believe that we are doing everything we can to address this problem, and WILL overcome this plague introduced to us.
A reader also stated that Alaska Natives make up most of the inmate population, and that he knew this for a fact because he worked there. However according to state.ak.us Caucasian people make up the majority of the inmate population. 50% of the felony population in Alaska is made up of Caucasian people as well (http://justice.uaa.alaska.edu/forum/20/4winter2004/c_felonyprocess.html)
So there you go. Alcohol is not our culture. Our culture is much richer than that and cannot be learned by being a prison guard in a jail.
cul·ture
During the 1950's suicide among natives did not differ much from very much from the rest of the nation. During the 1950's alcohol was introduced to most native villages. Suicide, sex crimes, homicide and other crimes among native people began to climb. During this time much of our own culture was taken from us. I have heard numerous stories from elders and others of being beaten for speaking their language, of being washed in kerosene, and of being sexually abused by the priests that were brought to teach them what they thought we should know. I am going to be 31 years old and never knew of Ellam-yua until about two weeks ago.
While the introduction to the western ways may have improved life in some ways, like giving us a longer life span, homes that are easier to heat and education, it has also destroyed who we are. Natives were forced to forget their own beliefs and learn what others thought we should know.
Today nearly 80% of deaths among natives is alcohol related, despite many efforts to keep it out of many villages. Kotlik is a dry village. However, with an unemployment rate of 34.6% and the a ca pita income of $9,755, the sale of alcohol is quick and easy money in a village where a quart of uht milk is over $3 and where heating fuel and gasoline prices are over $6 a gallon. The sale of one fifth of alcohol is usually over $150.
I want to make it clear that alcohol is not our culture, it is a problem that we are facing.It is so new to us that we have yet to figure out to overcome alcoholism, but I have faith that we will.
In fact Caucasian people consume more alcohol than any other people in this nation, so to sit and say that our culture is destroying is just plain idiotic. It is the DESTRUCTION of our culture and the FORCED INTRODUCTION of another that has lead to these issues that we face. Our beliefs and way of life was taken from us, another was forced upon us and then we saw a huge increase in social problems.
According to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services survey, 56.7 percent of whites describe themselves as "current drinkers," compared to 42.8 percent of African Americans, 41.7 percent of Hispanics, 37.6 percent of Asians, and 47.6 percent of multiracial people.
"National surveys show differences in alcohol consumption across ethnic groups, including patterns of drinking associated with greater risk for the adverse effects of alcohol (e.g., binge drinking, defined as five or more drinks on the same occasion). According to past-30-day estimates of drinking provided by the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) (SAMHSA 2008c), any alcohol use in adults (i.e., ages 18 or older) is most prevalent for Whites."(NIAAA Publications)
" Self-reported rates of DUI were highest among White men" (Driving under the influence)
So we were forced to learn what others believe in, and yes it has become a problem for us. Alcohol is so new to us that we have yet to find a way to deal with it. I do however believe that we are doing everything we can to address this problem, and WILL overcome this plague introduced to us.
A reader also stated that Alaska Natives make up most of the inmate population, and that he knew this for a fact because he worked there. However according to state.ak.us Caucasian people make up the majority of the inmate population. 50% of the felony population in Alaska is made up of Caucasian people as well (http://justice.uaa.alaska.edu/forum/20/4winter2004/c_felonyprocess.html)
So there you go. Alcohol is not our culture. Our culture is much richer than that and cannot be learned by being a prison guard in a jail.
cul·ture
/ˈkəlCHər/
Noun
|
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Sex offenders and acceptance
A reader of mine brought up an interesting point. She was living in a small village where her attacker was free to roam after the crime was committed. Why are we so willing to forgive these people? Is it because we want to avoid conflict? Do we simply act as though nothing ever happened just to keep peace? Are these victims living in peace? Is it fair to them?
The ratio of number of residents in Kotlik to the number of sex offenders is 46 to 1 http://www.city-data.com/so/so-Kotlik-Alaska.html
" And no place, women’s advocates say, is more dangerous than Alaska’s isolated villages, where there are no roads in or out, and where people are further cut off by undependable telephone, electrical and Internet service" http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/23/us/native-americans-struggle-with-high-rate-of-rape.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Of those fourteen, six of them were convicted for a crime against a minor. " Alaska Natives constituted 49 percent of the sex offender group and 46 percent of offenders overall. " For the categories of sex offense, 63 percent of those convicted of sexual abuse of a minor were remanded, 50 percent were rearrested and 36 percent were convicted of another offense—although not necessarily a sexual offense. For offenders convicted of sexual assault, the rates were 79 percent, 63 percent, and 45 percent respectively" http://justice.uaa.alaska.edu/forum/25/1-2springsummer2008/g_recidivism.html
So I did a little research and the numbers are very disturbing.
In my village there are 14 registered sex offenders and 577 people. What are the chances of running into your attacker? Pretty dang high I'd say, given it is only about a mile long, with one post office, two small grocery stores, and limited activities to do. "According to our research of Alaska and other state lists there were 14 registered sex offenders living in Kotlik as of January 22, 2013.The ratio of number of residents in Kotlik to the number of sex offenders is 46 to 1 http://www.city-data.com/so/so-Kotlik-Alaska.html
" And no place, women’s advocates say, is more dangerous than Alaska’s isolated villages, where there are no roads in or out, and where people are further cut off by undependable telephone, electrical and Internet service" http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/23/us/native-americans-struggle-with-high-rate-of-rape.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Of those fourteen, six of them were convicted for a crime against a minor. " Alaska Natives constituted 49 percent of the sex offender group and 46 percent of offenders overall. " For the categories of sex offense, 63 percent of those convicted of sexual abuse of a minor were remanded, 50 percent were rearrested and 36 percent were convicted of another offense—although not necessarily a sexual offense. For offenders convicted of sexual assault, the rates were 79 percent, 63 percent, and 45 percent respectively" http://justice.uaa.alaska.edu/forum/25/1-2springsummer2008/g_recidivism.html
ARE THESE CHANCES WE ARE WILLING TO TAKE WITH OUR YOUTH?
WHAT MESSAGE ARE WE SENDING?
As long as we are accepting of these crimes we will continue to make up 49% of the states sex offenders!
I find these numbers to very disturbing,and I say we send a new message, this will not be tolerated any longer! I find this to be rather embarrassing. Is this the image we want to continue to carry? I say no, I say we stand up and make a change. Change the messages that we are sending. Change the way we treat the victims in these cases. Offer our complete support.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Bullying and Suicide (part two)
So you go home. At first it feels good to be around family for the holidays. However, the village is small and the people haven't changed. The sneers and insults become even more frequent. Your circle continues to get smaller. Now you basically only have conversations with your family. Every time you leave the house and say "hello" to someone, they say, "eww, gross, disgusting, or don't talk to me". Some have even taken to hitting you or spitting on you when you leave the house. So you stop leaving the house. You are in a small, house in the village and your circle has become about five people. This goes on for a few years, lets say, five. You have no mental stimulation except for what's on the free t.v. channel. You don't leave the house at all. You begin to fall into a deep depression. At this point you start asking yourself, what is the point of living? Is this how my life is going to be forever? Will I be trapped in these four walls with nothing to do and no one to talk to for the next fifty or more years? A few more years go by and you try your hardest to stay strong, but the depression deepens. Soon, you family moves. Now your circle is completely gone. You HAVE to leave the house and endure the bullying to get the things necessary to survive. Every time you leave you are pushed even further down. Now you continue to live, not talking to anyone at all for the next, three years or more. Then what? One day you are sitting in your room after not having had any real conversations with people, or any positive experiences, really for the last ten years. You are sitting there, and you make a decision, I'm leaving. This is the only way. Then you do it. You take your life and put an end to the suffering. Now you are laid to rest for an eternity in the very place you spent your life trying and wishing to escape. Next to the very people who pushed you to this point.
Bullying and Suicide (part one)
We all know that Alaska has a very high rate of suicide. I am not an expert on suicide, nor do I wish to be. I am simply going to share my recent experience with suicide (thurs) and my thoughts on what could have driven a person to do such a thing. I would very much like to hear your thoughts on this subject as well.
After a recent loss of loved one to suicide, I sat for hours asking myself why. And here is what my brain has thought up.
Living in a small village your circle of people is very small to begin with (500 people). Of those you probably only interact with say, maybe 25. You start off going to school and everything is great, you have friends, you are free to play whenever and wherever you want with whoever you want. Soon, you are in high school and things begin to change ( you only have about 10 classmates, so your circle has grown even smaller). You join the basketball team, and all of your relatives come to see you play. The coach is introducing players and your name is called. Suddenly, your classmates are booing you very loudly, humiliating you in front of the people that mean the most to you. You choose not to go down to the gym floor. Your circle is now even smaller. The next four years of high school continue this way, with your classmates humiliating you and picking on you every chance you get. Now your circle only includes your family, and people that you may have casual contact with, say, at the grocery store or post office. What teenager wants the only person they have positive contact with to be their mother? You continue to push on, with a plan to leave the village as soon as you are old enough. You graduate and join the military, where things go well, for a while. Soon something happens so dramatic ( I will save that for another topic) that you are forced to go home. Heartbreak.
After a recent loss of loved one to suicide, I sat for hours asking myself why. And here is what my brain has thought up.
Living in a small village your circle of people is very small to begin with (500 people). Of those you probably only interact with say, maybe 25. You start off going to school and everything is great, you have friends, you are free to play whenever and wherever you want with whoever you want. Soon, you are in high school and things begin to change ( you only have about 10 classmates, so your circle has grown even smaller). You join the basketball team, and all of your relatives come to see you play. The coach is introducing players and your name is called. Suddenly, your classmates are booing you very loudly, humiliating you in front of the people that mean the most to you. You choose not to go down to the gym floor. Your circle is now even smaller. The next four years of high school continue this way, with your classmates humiliating you and picking on you every chance you get. Now your circle only includes your family, and people that you may have casual contact with, say, at the grocery store or post office. What teenager wants the only person they have positive contact with to be their mother? You continue to push on, with a plan to leave the village as soon as you are old enough. You graduate and join the military, where things go well, for a while. Soon something happens so dramatic ( I will save that for another topic) that you are forced to go home. Heartbreak.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
The Grass is (not) Always Greener on the Other Side
Moving from a village of 600 to Anchorage was definitely a dramatic change. Before, I only ate at home or in a relatives house, suddenly there was a plethora of restaurants to choose from ( I did not know what most of the food was either). In the village, the only option to shop for school clothes was to do so from a catalog, now there were malls, and shops EVERYWHERE. I was used to having to go to a public laundromat and paying out the butt to take a shower (not daily either), now I was free to shower whenever and as often as I wanted. At home I could walk from one end of town to the other in under fifteen minutes, now I had to find some type of transportation for everything I wanted or needed to do, and was often lost.
While this was all new and exciting, I soon began to miss the things that I had spent all of my life doing and eating. I missed walking next door to Gramma's house and eating her yummy bread. I missed eating fresh whale and fish. I missed the potlatches and the basketball games. I missed all of my cousin's being there whenever I needed or wanted to see them. I missed listening to the VHF (lol).
With this being said, what are the things you miss most about being in the village? For my reader's in the village, what do you wish were available that people in the city have easy access to?
I look forward to reading your replies. Quyana tailuten atam tang'rrciqamken! (thank you for coming)
( I would love to see photo's of your villages or your favorite foods in the village!)
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Welcome!
Welcome to my blog about being a Modern Native! I would like to start my blog off by thanking you for your interest.
I am an Alaskan Native who has moved from a village in Western Alaska to Anchorage. The transition was not easy. There were a variety of reasons for my wanting to leave the village. A lot of those villages have issues that I feel are brushed under the rug, so to speak. I would like to provide an open forum for Natives to voice their concerns and ideas for possible solutions as openly as possible.
I would like to start this Blog with my readers posting ideas that they feel don't get enough attention.
Again, thank you for coming.
Happy reading!
I am an Alaskan Native who has moved from a village in Western Alaska to Anchorage. The transition was not easy. There were a variety of reasons for my wanting to leave the village. A lot of those villages have issues that I feel are brushed under the rug, so to speak. I would like to provide an open forum for Natives to voice their concerns and ideas for possible solutions as openly as possible.
I would like to start this Blog with my readers posting ideas that they feel don't get enough attention.
Again, thank you for coming.
Happy reading!
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